Three arrested in Watsonville on suspicion of gang involvement, weapons charges

WATSONVILLE - Three men were arrested Wednesday night in a car with a loaded, concealed handgun, police said.

A Watsonville police officer on patrol stopped a car driving in the area of Riverside Drive and Blackburn Street for a vehicle code violation around 9 p.m., according to Sgt. Eric Taylor.

As the car was stopping, one of the occupants was seen ducking out of view. He was later identified as 18-year-old Carlos Robles. The officer approached the car and contacted the three men inside. All three were known to police as members or associates of a local gang. A search of the car turned up a loaded gun.

Robles, 18-year-old Jason Cortez and 20-year-old Isaias Barron were arrested on suspicion of participation in a criminal street gang. Robles also was arrested on suspicion of possession of a loaded, concealed handgun. The three Watsonville residents were booked into Santa Cruz County Jail.